Telegraph Sport profiles David Beckham's international career.

1998 Scores first England goal, a free-kick against Colombia in a World Cup group game Lens on June 26, but his fortunes plummet in the second round tie with Argentina, where he is sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone.

2000 Having reconstructed his reputation, Beckham is named England captain for the November friendly with Italy in Turin by stand-in manager Peter Taylor.

2001 The high point of his international career, as he curls in a 25-yard last-minute free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford to earn a 2-2 draw and send England into the World Cup finals. He is voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year soon afterwards.